The Shack by William Young

I started reading "The Shack" yesterday. I know you say "how do you have time to read". I have to read, I must read it is my escape. I take whatever I am reading every where I go so that when I am waiting for dance to be over, I read. When I am waiting for the dentist to stop filing Madie's teeth I read, when Karl is driving I read to avoid being scared. I love to read.

The Shack is a Christian fiction that is much like "Pilgrim's Progress" that I read as a teen and loved. Like it in the since that he uses a story to teach you more about God. This story is based on a man going through a trial (rain) like James 1:2 reminds us we will face and how the three parts of God helped him and their different roles. It is very interesting and deep. (I would rather be reading right now actually.)

It is a thinker. I know I am going to have to read it twice to really get it. Anywho! I thought I would blog it in case you too love to read. This book is great because it is an interesting story and I know in the end I am going to draw closer to my "Father, Papa, Daddy" (You will understand that after you read the book.

RAIN
Someone once told me when the rain comes just cling to the father and know that he loves you. Little did he know what turn our lives would take two weeks later and I can honestly say I had to constantly remind myself "He loves me" and he loved me through it. Thank you father!

Our Ohio Get Away

Karly and Derrick top right, Madie and Derrick top left.



Sweet Sisters holding hands after along day at the water park.


This is the Gorilla that scared us all to death.
The Worn out gang after the Water Park.












Karl and his girls resting on a hammer head shark.























May 29th we headed down to Ohio after work to see our friends, Derrick and Rebecca Johnson. We got in Thursday night around 9 and talked until 1:30 in the morning. Rebecca had to go to work Friday. Friday we did one of our favorite things to do we went shopping at the Easton's Mall it makes the Avenue in Murfreesboro look terrible. The girls of course spent all their money in one day on sunglasses and shoes of course.


Friday night we went out to dinner at Uno's pizza, oh my gosh!! Amazing. Then to Dairy Queen and then to the movies, another late night.

Saturday we went to a water park called Zoombies and to their Zoo in Columbus. It was so nice. The girls had a blast. The Zoo was great. The most memorable part was Karly standing at the glass staring at a Gorilla and all of a suddenly he charges the glass and beats on it and roars. We all found out that our hearts were in working order. Every one at that exhibit screamed. It was wild.

Sunday, I wish I had pictures of this but someone forgot the camera (Karl). The girls went golfing with the boys. They were their caddies. Rebecca and I went shopping of course.

We had a great time but it went way to fast. Oh on the way home we stop at the IKEA store in Cincinnati and shopped some more. That place is amazing, a little over whelming but amazing. We got Madie a new dresser and all kinds of other stuff for the house. FUN FUN

Now we are back home to reality. Not so fun!


P.S. Becca thought it would be fun for the girls to kick Derrick out of the bed and for them to sleep with her one night. Well she got elbowed several times by Madie and woke up with a pain in her neck with Karly and Madies name written all over it. Welcome to my world Rebecca!

Memorial Day 2008

Madie, Izzy, Karly and Lydia at the first park.
Karl and Lydia at park number two.
Nails by Chapman Girls!
Full makeover for Mr. Karl.
Power Nap for Lydia!

Today we had four girls: Karly, Madie, Izzy and Lydia. We had so much fun as you can see by all our pictures. We went to two parks, sonic and back home when the rain started. We did not let the rain stop the fun. We painted all of our finger nails including Karl's, he got the full makeover hair, nails and face. They all wanted him to go to the store wearing it but he said only if they would go with him and they all said a very giggly "no". We played in the garage since it was raining we sang and danced did bubbles, so much fun.
I think we could handle two more, hint hint!!!

Chapman Prayer Reminder

I printed this picture off to put on the mirror in my bathroom to remind myself to pray for the Chapmans. So I thought I would pass the idea on to you and ask you to pass the idea on to all your friends and family. I know it is on all of our minds now but they are going to need prayer for along time. So if you would print and pass the idea along.
I wish everyone could have heard Steven's words and Caleb's prayer Friday night, WOW. It was amazing.
I can imagine the depth of their pain and I know only by God and God alone will they be healed.
Pray, pray, Pray!!!

Ps. 30:10-12 "He will turn their sorrow into dance".

Jesus Calling

Ok if you have not heard of this little book "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young. Let me tell you, I love it. My buddy Gwen O. talked about it on her blog so I thought I would get one because I was looking for something new to study. WOW - thanks Gwen, I love it.
It is a short powerful read with scripture to take you to the word so you can dig deeper. It just amazes me how He speaks to me everyday on just what I need to hear.

Today has been a heart breaking day due to the loss of my dear friends niece last night in a car accident. I love children and when anything happens to a child it just breaks my heart. I stayed up late last night and woke up early this morning just praying for the whole family. So I was running late for work and didn't stop to do my quiet time. I got to the office and could not focus on anything and finally decided to read my "Jesus Calling".
Today's in a nut shell, Fix your eyes on me, no matter what is going on, then will you be able to view circumstances from My perspective. I needed to be reminded of that today. Last nights events may never make since to anyone but we must always keep our eyes on Him.

Please keep the Chapman family in your prayers only God and God alone can heal their broken hearts. Maria was so blessed to be a part of such an amazing family and extended family.

Madie's Weekend!

One of Madie's best friends Alex had a limo pick them up after school to go to her birthday party. Madie was so excited she loved it. Thanks
Alex for making her day.
The other picture is Madie performing on stage at our church www.fbcsmyrna.org for our Mother's day service. Our mother's day service features Preschool Ministry with a Parent Child Dedication service and the Children's Ministry by having them perform. It was great! We had 40 children and families dedicated this morning.
The Children's Pastor and kids did a great job and it was a great message on giving God your all, 100%.
Madie was so giving it her all while singing and dancing. She melts my heart. That is her in the yellow jersey.
Happy Mother's day to all my friends, my mother and my mother in law.

School is almost over another year gone!

Trot day at school is a fundraiser. I love volunteering on these kinds of days. Most the time they make me the copy girl not so fun. The picture at the right top corner is my former intern Kristi, she is a teacher at the girls school.

These are some pictures taken at a field trip that Karl and I both got to go on last week. Karl went with Karly and I went with Madie. It was a perfect day for a ball game. I didn't see much of it of course, I was the teachers runner but it was still a fun family day.